ANNATORIA
The air did feel stiff for many seconds, and I worried that the Lycan’s sword would spill blood again. But moments after observing the stern frown growing on his face, I decided to do something insane.
“Stay,” I said to Kaelen, who was about to step away from me.
“Annatoria, you don’t-”
“Stay.” Then, my gaze fixed on the Lycan. “You’ll have to go through me. You’ll have to kill me first.”
His eyes twitched with disbelief, and his feet halted. His sword stopped too, but its blade continued pointing at us. “My queen, do you have any idea what you’re doing?”
“I won’t let you kill Kaelen,” I insisted.
“Annatoria, don’t provoke him,” Kaelen whispered, and I ignored him.
“Why?” the Lycan asked, his head tilting to make his hair fall while he peeked at Kaelen. “Is he somethi
